Eddie Varley - Page 233

The Hollywood Reporter stated today that Martha Plimpton, currently starring in the Broadway revival of Pal Joey at Studio 54, will be part of the cast of the new Showtime pilot 'The End of Steve.'

Pace University's Pace New Musicals Program, now in it's third year, is a workshop initiative that offers students the invaluable opportunity take part in the developmental process of new material with up-and coming writers. In the past few months, the program received 42 submissions for consideration, out of which one new work was selected to be developed by Pace. This year, Pace New Musicals proudly presents the world premiere reading of Darling, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by B.T. Ryback.

Film site IESB.net reports that Evan Rachel Wood has been cast as 'Mary Jane' in the upcoming SPIDERMAN musical, it reports that rehearsals will begin in June 2009. The website also reveals that her 'Across The Universe co-star Jim Sturgess, long rumored to play Peter Parker/Spiderman is still a possibility, but has to be 'convinced'.

Due to encouraging business on Broadway this fall with four dramatic hits, it was announced today that this season?s production of Neil LaBute's new play reasons to be pretty will play the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). Terry Kinney will direct Mr. LaBute's Broadway debut. The show will go into rehearsals on Friday, February 16, 2009 with preview performances slated to begin Friday, March 6 2009 and an opening night scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2009. Casting announcements will be forthcoming.

Vital Theatre Company recently announced its family holiday offering, 'THE KLEZMER NUTCRACKER.' Based on the award-winning book The Golden Dreydl by Ellen Kushner, the production features music by Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky, arrangements by Michael McLaughlin and David Harris and performance by The Shirim Klezmer Orchestra, a book by Ellen Kushner, direction by Linda Ames Key, and choreography by Dax Valdes. The production has added performances from 12/13-1/3

Lorin Maazel will make his valedictory tour as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic featuring 13 concerts in 9 cities in the United States and Puerto Rico, February 21-March 9, 2009.

Way Off Broadway Musical Theatre Inc. (WOB) presents the World Premiere of In Full: Bloom, an evening of songs celebrating composer and lyricist Charles Bloom, one of musical theatre's most significant new voices, at The Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa, from January 15 - 25, 2009.

Critics John Heilpern of The New York Observer, Mike Kuchwara of The Associated Press and Jacques le Sourd of CBS radio, discuss the profound impact of the economy on their profession and whether professional drama critics are, in Riedel's words, 'doomed.' This program was taped 4 days after le Sourd, the theater critic at Gannett Newspapers for 35 years, was laid off. (The company is not planning to replace him, but will eliminate his position.)

The Broadway company of CHICAGO is pleased to announce details for the January installment of 'Talkback Tuesdays,' the new monthly series offering a post-show discussion and audience Q&A session with members of the Broadway company of the record-breaking hit musical. Designed to provide theatergoers with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of CHICAGO, the next 'Talkback Tuesdays' offering is set for Tuesday, January 6, 2009, featuring a post-show conversation with actress Melora Hardin.

UK paper the Telegraph is reporting that Michael Caine's classic film The Italian Job is to be remade as a Bollywood release with Indian cars replacing the famous Mini Coopers. But what was most interesting in the article was Sandeep Bhargava, the Chief Executive of Indian Film Company, comments that Bollywood versions of Mamma Mia! and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels might follow. To read the entire feature click here.

David Tennant , who missed the December 9th opening night of the transfer of the RSC's Stratford-upon-Avon production of Hamlet to the West End's Novello Theatre will not be returning to role before Christmas the Royal Shakespeare Company revealed in a statement.

Pushing Daisies stars Kristin Chenoweth and Ellen Greene,, two long time Broadway favorites, will be featured on the series upcoming CD release. The Varese Sarabande release will highlight the programs vivid and witty instrumental music for the show by Pushing Daisies writer Jim Dooley. The company has announced it will have 35 tracks and is to be released later this month.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center will present Martin Scorsese's overlooked film musical New York, New York as part of the center's 'Scorsese Series' on December 26th and 31st.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'Rent Filmed Live on Broadway' to Blu-ray on February 3rd along with the DVD release. The cover art for both the DVD and Blu-ray releases has been revealed.

Variety has reported that Disney/Pixar's robot love story 'Wall-E' was named best picture of the year by the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. yesterday Tuesday December 9th, marking the first time in the org's 33-year history that an animated film has taken the top prize.

Variety is reporting that Gerard Allesandrini's Forbidden Broadway Goes To Rehab is extending and will now end its 27-year New York run on March 1st rather than January 15th.

Variety is reporting that ROCK OF AGES, Off-Broadway's newest hit, is headed to the big screen. New Line Cinema is set to produce the film version with Chris D'Arienzo serving as writer and director.

The Washington Post reports that Robert Prosky, a well known and highly respected stage and screen actor, died Monday, December 8, at Washington Hospital Center from complications stemming from a heart procedure, he was 77.

Ashley was a popular finalist on the NBC talent competition series 'Grease: You're the One That I Want.' Ashley's good girl charm and blonde tresses evoked an example of the perfect 'Sandy'. Ashley Spencer came directly from the Broadway company of Hairspray where she starred as 'Amber von Tussle.' She took BWW TV backstage at 'Rydell High' to give us a look at life at Grease!

The 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,061,000 had been raised by the 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.